Folding furniture



Nov. 7, 1944. E. G. COVELL FOLDING FURNITURE Filed April 12, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J J m a U @m/ a E i d W x. m am my f 2m: 2 J/b/u/ A n V a 1 1 space.

Patented Nov. 7, 1944 aApplicatioriApril '12, 1943; Serial No:rd8 2;7;71

4 Claims. (o1;':3,11+99 I inner-portions ofthe rails3 3i4sand 5 are raibw beted, as at 1; for the receptionfofithe marginal :-portions OfWhG-tOIJfip The present invention-relates generaH-y-to-new nd usefulimprovements in: fur'nituren particula'rly tables, benohes, et cetera and has for "its -primary object to-provide; in amannen asherein'afterwset forth; devicesofthis ehar-ac'ter which, hen not in use are adapted tobe expeditiously iolded -in a manner -torrequir a minimunr of Y imotherc"mayimportant object of the invenl tiori is' to prov ide a tablecor bench iof the-More mentioned cl i-ara'cter =comprising novel means for firmly securing the supporting legs in open or operative position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a folding table or bench which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

I Figure 1 is a view inside elevation of a table constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the table, showing the legs in folded or inoperative position. a

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation, showing the table folded.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a corner portion of the table with the top broken away.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view at right angles to Figure 5, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FigureA.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of complemental half-sections l which are hingedly connected at 2. The half-sections l, w'hen in unfolded position, constitute the top of the table.

Each section I comprises a substantially rectangular apron which includes inner and outer side rails 3 and 4, respectively, and end rails 5. Each of the sections I further includes a top 6 of suitable material, such as plywood, mounted on the rails 3, 4 and 5. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawings, the upper,

Elongated J blocks 8 ar osecured vertically iron the end rails 5 adjacent to,.=but' spaced :from, the

outer side rails 4. Pivot bolts 9'. extend between theblocks' li and the outer side rails .4." Folding 2 legs ll are j'ournaled tor swingingrmovement on Z Gam -grooves I are providedsin the outer side rails 4 adj ace'nt the end rails 5.. 'Fromitheir. upper to their lower-ends?thej cam grooves ll? incline toward the end rails 5 (see Fig. 5). Retaining arms I 2 for the legs 10 are pivotally secured at l3 on'th blocks 8. The free end portions of the arms [2 are engageable in the cam grooves H in a manner to be wedged thereby against the op posed faces of the unfolded or open legs in for firmly securing said legs in open position. As also shown to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawings, the sides of the arms l2 which are remote from the open legs H! are beveled to conform to the inclination of the cam grooves II.

It is thought that the manner in which the invention functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the table is not in use, the legs ID are folded into their respective sections I and said sections l are swung to closed position on the hinges 2 substantially in the manner of a suitcase, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. When the table is to be used, the sections l are opened on the hinges 2 and the legs ID are swung to open position against the end rails 5. The arms l2 are then engagedin the cam grooves H and wedged between the legs IO and the side walls of said grooves which are remote from said legs. Thus, the legs ID are firmly securedin open position.

However, the construction and arrangement is such that the arms l2 may be easily swung upwardly out of the grooves II when it is desired to fold the legs In.

It is believed that the many advantages of a folding table or bench constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A table comprising an apron including end '4 and side rails, a top mounted on the rails, the side rails having cam grooves therein, pivot bolts mounted on the side rails. adjacent the grooves, folding legs journaled on said pivot bolts, said grooves and legs extending in the same general direction when the legs are open, and said grooves including a wall inclined downwardly in a direction toward an adjacent open leg, and arms pivotally mounted on the end rails'for retaining the legs in open position, said arms having free ends adapted to travel in the cam grooves in engagement with the inclined wall thereof to force the arms against the legs and to force the legs against an adjacent end rail.

2. A table of the character described comprising an apron having substantially vertical cam l grooves therein, a top mounted on the apron, folding legs mounted for swinging movement on the apron, said grooves and legs extending in the same general direction when the legs are open, and said grooves including a wall inclined downwardly in a direction toward an adjacent open leg, and arms pivotally mounted on the apron and having free ends adapted .to travel in the grooves in contact with said inclined wall for wedging of the arms against the legs for retaining said legs in open position.

3. A table comprising an apron including side and end rails, said side rails having substantially vertical cam grooves therein adjacent said end rails, blocks on the end railsadjacent to, butspaced from, the side walls, pivot bolts extending between the side rails and the blocks adjacent the grooves, supporting legs journaled on the pivot adapted to travel in the cam grooves in contact with said inclined wall to guide the arms against the legs for forcing said legs against the end rails for firmly securing said legs in open position.

4. A table of the character described comprising a pair of hingedly connected half-sections,

said sections comprising inner and outer side rails and end rails, said sections further including tops mounted on the rails, the outer side rails having substantially vertical cam grooves therein adjacent the end rails, blocks mounted on said end rails adjacent to, but spaced from, the outer side rails, pivot bolts extending between said outer side rails and blocks adjacent the grooves, folding supporting legs for the sections journaled on the pivot bolts for swinging across the grooves, said grooves and legs extending in the same general direction when the legs are in open position and said grooves including a wall inclined downwardly toward an adjacent open leg, and arms pivotally mounted on the blocks and having free ends adapted to travel in the cam grooves in contact with said inclined wall to guide the arms against thelegs for securing said legs in open position against the end rails.

ERNEST G. COVELL. 

